Six Springbok Word Cup winners unavailable for upcoming tests
Eight players have been ruled out of the Springboks’ Tests against Ireland and Portugal, including a dozen of its World Cup winners.
Six of the eight players that are unavailable for Springboks selection for the upcoming mid-year Tests on home soil are experienced World Cup-winning stars.
Rassie Erasmus unveiled his star-studded 39-man Springbok squad for the two-Test series against Ireland and once-off showdown against Portugal in July.
The group includes four uncapped players: Phepsi Buthelezi, Morne van den Berg, Johan Grobbelaar and Jan-Hendrik Wessels.
Buthelezi and Van den Berg, however, also gained selection for the Springboks traveling squad for the Test against Wales; while Bulls duo Grobbelaar and Wessels are new inclusions.
STAR NAMED RULED OUT FOR SPRINGBOKS
Injuries have wreaked havoc across the South African rugby landscape this season and it was bound to affect the Springboks too once the international season starts.
And that is exactly what has happened. While Rassie Erasmus has been able to pick a remarkably competitive squad, losing six active World Cup winners is still a massive blow.
The players in question are Steven Kitshoff (prop), Jean Kleyn, Lood de Jager (both locks), Jaden Hendrikse (scrumhalf), Canan Moodie and Damian Willemse (both utility backs), who were ruled out of contention due to injury.
Additional, two uncapped players who were dead certs for Springboks selection — Cameron Hanekom (flanker) and Henco van Wyk (centre) — also sustained untimely knocks which have now delayed the start of their respective international careers.
BOK SQUAD FOR INCOMING SERIES:
Springboks Forwards:
Phepsi Buthelezi, Ben-Jason Dixon, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Thomas du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Johan Grobbelaar, Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi, Frans Malherbe, Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi, Salmaan Moerat, Franco Mostert , Ox Nche, Trevor Nyakane, Evan Roos, Kwagga Smith, RG Snyman, Gerhard Steenekamp, Marco van Staden, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Jasper Wiese.
Springboks Backs:
Lukhanyo Am, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Damian de Allende, Faf de Klerk, Andre Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Wilie le Roux, Manie Libbok, Makazole Mapimpi, Handre Pollard, Cobus Reinach, Morne van den Berg, Edwill van der Merwe, Grant Williams.
